FRANCE'S WAR AIMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 94, 14 January 1918, Page 5

FRANCE'S WAR AIMS

PLANS FOE A WOULD COURT

BRITISH DESTROYER FOUNDERS WITH ALL HANDS

In a policy statement made in the Chamber of Deputies, the French Foreign Minister declares that his Government-is completely in accord with' the Allies, and endorses the war aims lately outlined by Mr. Lloyd George and President Wilson. To-day's reports from Russia state that the Bolshevik leaders anticipate the collapse, of the Russo-German negotiations, and hope to create a voluntary Revolutionary Army to resist the German offensive which is believed to be imminent. The Don district, according to one message, will shortly be forming itself into an independent republic, of which General Kadedin will probably bo Premier. The Admiralty report the loss with all hands of a British destroyer. She was wrecked by stress of weather off the north coast of Ireland. Survivors have landed from a Spanish ship which was torpedoed at the end of December. A boat containing the captain and twenty sailors is missing. There is not much, news from the war theatres, but Sir Douglas Haig reports successful aerial raiding.

A RUSSO-GERMAN BREACH FORESHADOWED

BOLSHEVIK LEADERS BELIEVE ENEMY OFFENSIVE TO BE IMMINENT

RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS FOR RESISTANCE

By Telegraph—Preßß Asßociation--OopjTight (Rec. January 13, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, January 12. The Central Empires have accepted M. Trotsky's proposal to prolong the armistice for another month. By General Kryleriko's order voluntary detachments of the Red Guard are being formed on the northern front. The Bolshevik leaders opino that the peace negotiations will be interrupted, therefore it is necessary to organise resistance the German offensive which they consider to ho imminent. A continuance of tho war on the old scalo is impossible. Operations will bo limited to defence. It is hoped to create a voluntary revolutionary army.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AUSTRO-GERMAN DELEGATES DECLINE TO TRANSFER

NEGOTIATIONS

THREAT TO RELENTLESSLY CONTINUE THE WAR,

Amsterdam, January 11

The Ukraine is represented at Brest Litovsk. Dr. von Kuhlmann, German Foreign Minister, presiding, complained of the semi-official Russian statements circulated by the Petrograd Telegraph Agency, containing -m imaginary report of thn previous sitting which had endangered the, continuation of tho negotiations. Dr. Kuhlmann added: "Nevertheless, Ido not care to give up all hopes of the negotiations leading to satisfactory results. The difficulties of a material character disclosed at tho previous sitting are not great enough to justify tho idea that the peace work will fail." Count Czornin (Austrian Foreign Minister) said that tho Central Powers had agreed to refer unsettled matters to a committee, and to conolude negotiations on the basis that both sides had considered binding. If tho Russian intentions were unaltered, the conference would reach satisfactory results. Otherwise, responsibility for the continuation of the war would fall exclusively upon Russia. Dr. von Kuhlmann and Count Czernin declined to transfer the negotiations to a neutral country, because the arrangements were completed for continuing at Brest Litovsk. It was also not dosircd that the Entente should meddlo in Russo-German affairs* The Central Powers would relentlessly continue the war if Russia broke up tho conference. M. Trotsky moved an adjournment.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TROTSKY CONSENTS TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS AT BREST LITOVSK. (Rco. January 13, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, January 12. At Brest Litovsk, M. Trotsky said the Russians desired to continue tho neacc negotiations, whether or not the Entente Potrcrs participated. He disagreed" with the difficulties urged by the Germans regarding the transfer of tho negotiations to Stockholm, but as tho Russian pcoolo desired to conclude the speediest peace, he consented to remain at Brest Litovsk in, order to deprive the Germanic alliance of any pretext for breaking olt the negotiations on technical grounds.—Reuter.

KRYLENKO THREATENING A HOLY WAR AGAINST THE BOURGEOISIE. (Rcc. January 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 12. The newspapers arc emphasising that while M. Trotsky is continuing the peace negotiations, General Krylcnko is organising an army, and has issued a proclamation threatening a holy war against tho Russian, German, French, and British bourgeoisies— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

' THE FUTURE OF THE DARDANELLES. (Rec. January 13, 5.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, January 11. Russian newspapers report that representatives of Russia and the Central Powers have arrived at Odessa to discuss Black Sea questions particularly that of the future of tho'Dardanelles.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BOLSHEVIKI AND UKRAINIANS REACH AGREEMENT A GERMAN SCHEME BROUGHT TO NAUGHT. London, January 11. Mr Ransome, Petrograd correspondent of the "Daily News," states that an agreement has been reached between the Bolsheviki and the Ukraman delegates at Brest Litovsk. The .independence of the Ukraine, i. recognised, and tho delegates have decided to present a united front Iho Sment puts an end to the Germans' hope of dividing the Bolshev.ki from Smith Russia where food and other commodities form the cln«f German peace oSiveLci in has left Petrograd, either for a holiday in Finland or to o Htli the Austro-German Socialists at Stockholm. Before leaving he said: "I fear we will be compelled to stop demobilisation and prepare for war. I shall never agree to a shameful peace."—Aus.-iY/i. Üble Assn. THE DON DISTRICT TO BE AN INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC (Rec. January 13, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, January 11. The Bolshevik Telegraph Bureau rcports:-The Don district will shortly form itself into an independent republic. General Ivaledm will probacy be the Premier.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FINLAND'S INDEPENDENCE Copenhagen, January 11. Denmark and Norway, have acknowledged the independence of Finland. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' '